Major Dhyan Chand’s contributions to Indian hockey and sports in general are immeasurable. His dedication, sportsmanship and commitment to excellence continue to inspire generations of athletes. His birthday, August 29, is celebrated as National Sports Day in India as a tribute to his unparalleled legacy.
|
Major Dhyan Chand |
|
|
Birth name |
Dhyan Singh |
|
Nickname(s) |
Wizard, magician |
|
Born |
August 29, 1905[1] Allahabad, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, British India (present-day Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India) |
|
Died |
December 3, 1979 (age 74)[2] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India |
|
Fidelity |
British India (1922 – 1947) India (since 1947) |
|
Service/office |
British Indian Army Indian Army |
|
Years of service |
1922–1956 |
|
Rank |
Major |
|
Unit |
1. Brahmins 14th Punjab Regiment the Punjab Regiment |
|
Prizes |
Padma Bhushan |
Why is Major Dhyan Chand known as the ‘Hockey Wizard’?
The title ‘Hockey Prodigy’ was bestowed on Major Dhyan Chand, a name earned by his supernatural acumen displayed in hockey. His ball-control virtuosity was of such a mesmerizing quality that spectators routinely struggled to fathom the credibility of such dexterity emanating from mortal prowess. His ability to manipulate the ball was great; he effortlessly maneuvered past multiple defenders and scored goals with incredible ease. This astonishing dimension of his performance culminated in the christening of the name ‘Hockey Wizard’, a nomenclature that perfectly sums up his mesmerizing skills.
Major Dhyan Chand’s unwavering devotion to the sport manifested itself in a dedication that transcended daily constraints and official mandates. In the midst of the night realm, he persevered in his tireless pursuit of perfection, honing his skills under the benevolent gaze of the Moon. This determined commitment earned him the nickname Dhyan Chand, a name derived from the Hindi lexeme meaning ‘moon’, a touching tribute to his unwavering and relentless efforts.
The legend of Major Dhyan Chand
On August 29, 1905, Major Dhyan Chand Singh was born. He was born to Sharadha Singh and Sameshwar Singh in Allahabad, India. His journey led him to enlist in the Indian Army, an institution that served as the foundation where his prodigious field hockey prowess would come to the fore.
Dhyan Chand’s rise culminated in his selection for the Indian Army team’s tour of New Zealand in 1926. During the tour, India displayed remarkable strength, securing wins in 18 matches, two draws and succumbing to just one defeat. This achievement was widely acclaimed and Dhyan Chand was especially praised for his outstanding performance in his inaugural international outing. Subsequently, on his return, he was given the rank of Lance Naik within the Punjab Regiment of the British Indian Army.
His exceptional skills quickly gained recognition, prompting Dhyan Chand to join the Indian hockey contingent for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. While the sport was making its Olympic debut, the newly formed Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) was determined to assemble a top team for the Games in the Netherlands. To finalize the Olympic squad, the IHF organized an inter-provincial tournament in which five teams participated: Punjab, Bengal, Rajputana, United Provinces (UP) and Central Provinces. Dhyan Chand seized the opportunity, representing UP as the military teams abstained from the event. With deft control of the ball and sharp running, he won over both the selectors and the spectators while constantly confusing the opposing defenses.
Also Read – National Sports Day 2023: India’s best results and achievements in sports department
Dhyan Chand at the Olympics
Dhyan Chand’s appearance in the inter-provincial tournament, positioned as a center forward alongside his partner George Martins, cemented his presence in India’s pioneering Olympic hockey line-up. Despite facing financial challenges ahead of their trip to Amsterdam, the Indian hockey team found its groove without any problems upon arrival in the Dutch city.
Leading the way for India was Dhyan Chand, whose prolific performance resulted in an incredible 14 goals in 5 games, culminating in a gold medal win during their inaugural Olympic venture.
The following years would see the Dhyan Chand legend blossom exponentially as the Allahabad native raised his game, which was instrumental in India’s successful defense of the Olympic title at the 1932 Los Angeles Games. Significantly, this victory had added significance with the inclusion of his brother Roop Singh in the winning team.
Moving on to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Dhyan Chand’s role progressed to captaincy, a responsibility that further enhanced his performance. During the competition, the Indian hockey team scored a total of 38 goals, winning another Olympic gold and conceding only one goal in the final match. This achievement propelled India to secure a remarkable hat-trick of back-to-back Olympic gold medals, an unimaginable feat that underlined their dominance on the global stage.
Also Check – National Sports Day Quiz Questions Answers
Legacy
After his triumphant return from Berlin, Chand rejoined his regiment, devoting himself to the realm of military hockey. Even as the sport in India grew to greater heights with greats like Balbir Singh Sr leading an era of unprecedented victories, Dhyan Chand’s indelible contribution remained unmatched.
In 1956, Dhyan Chand completed his military service with the rank of Major and was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan, India’s highest civilian award. He quickly moved into coaching waters, assuming the role of head coach at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala. His lasting legacy lasted until his death in 1979, at the age of 74, leaving an indelible mark on the nation.
India celebrates its National Sports Day every year on August 29, Dhyan Chand’s birthday, and as an exclusive recognition, he is the only hockey player to be honored with a commemorative postage stamp and envelope on the first day. The Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports is a prestigious national recognition that bears his name. Further perpetuating his memory, the National Stadium in New Delhi bears his name, standing as a testament to his legacy. The saga of Dhyan Chand continues to ignite the aspirations of countless hockey players, summing up an enduring source of inspiration.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: newstars.edu.vn